Motor car body



Nov. 18, 1941. J. H. LA'rcHFoRD MOTOR CAR `Boby Filed Jan. '7,- 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 QM Law E Nor. 18, 1941. J. H. LATcHFvoRD MOTOR CAR BODY Filed Jan. '7, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Nov. 18, 1941 MOTOR CAR BODY John Henry Latchford, Prestwich, Manchester,

England Application January 7, 1941, Serial No. 373,411 In Great Britain May 19, 1939 13 Claims. (Cl. 296-137) This invention relates to motor car bodies and has for its object an improved'construction of saloon body which can be partly opened or converted into a full open touring body.

According to the invention, the improved motor car body comprises, at its upper part, framework in which are slidably mounted two or more roof sections and a back panel.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, guide rails are provided which branch for the separate location within the body part of the roof sections and back panell In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a sectional side elevation of one example of roof structure for a saloon motor car made in accordance with the invention.

Fig. 2 is a cross section on line 2-2 of Fig. 1 and Fig. 5.

Fig. 3 is a cross section on line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a cross section on line 4 4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section to an enlarged scale of the upper part of the roof structure section.

Fig. 6 is a perspective View to an enlarged scale of the rear part of one rail at the point of division.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the locking mechanism and internal construction.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary longitudinal section showing a forward portion of the guide rail.

In the example of the invention illustrated in the drawings, the body part in normal external appearance resembles a saloon body of conventional form with a luggage boot IIJ projecting at the rear. The upper part of the body consists primarily of a fixed frame structure, being the windscreen frame from which extend rearwardly two longitudinal side members curving down at the rear and supported also by a central door pillar at each side.

Secured or formed in one with such framework and along its inner edge is a rai1 II of boxlike cross-section positioned below and inwardly of a channel I2 by which rainwater may be kept away from the working faces of the rail. That is to say, the rail has a flat bottom, it-s inner Wall I3 rises vertically and then has a narrow overturned flange I4 whilst its outer wall I5 rises to a less height where it joins the bottom of the drain channel I2, the inner portion of which overhangs the outer wall of the rail and has a small upstanding edge I6. The outer wall of the drain channel rises vertically to join with the outer surface or cornice like part I'I of the frame structure.

Towards the rear, the rai1 II branches at a point, which is just above the edge of the rear panel 2@ when the same has been lowered into the body of the car. From such point, the forward portion of the rail bends sharply downwards and continues at I la whilst itsoverturned flange I4 is cut away at Ma for the reason here after explained. The rear portion of the rail II, corresponding to the rear side panel of the car, is of a greater .curvature than the forward or roof portion and an extension rail IIb of similar curvature is provided leading down into the body of the car, and with its upper end terminating at IIc short of the sharp bend portion of the main rail.

Located in these rails are two roof portions I8 and I9 and a rear panel portion 28. These portions are constructed at their sides to overhang the drip channel I2. The front roof portion I8 is constructed so as toslide into the rear roof portion I9, the latter being made hollow and formed with a hollow box-like depending rail edge 2l adapted to fit and slide in the main rail II. The front portion I8 carriesv runners or wheels 22 adapted to run` in the rail of the rear portion and at its extreme forward end a single` runner or wheel 23 adapted to run along the bottom 0f the main rail Il and be trapped under the overturned edge I4 thereof. The rear roof portion has front and rear runners or wheels 24 similarly engaging the bottom of the main rail and trapped under the overturned edge thereof. The front and rear roof portions are of such length that when fully extended` they still overlap as shown at 25 and means are provided normally` to prevent their separation. The front` edge of the front panel at 26 engages the cross member above the windscreen to form a suitable joint to exclude rain and to overlap a drain channel 2l therein. At the rear end of the rear portion is a fixed stud 28 which may be an extension vengaged in the extension rail IIb and provided with means to limit its position as it is raised out of the body. l

Suitable means are provided for making a weather tight transverse joini-l between the edges of the panels and the body work, including a drain channel 3| in the rear panel and suitable locking means are provided for coupling the parts together and locking any of them in any desired position, such latter means comprising for example two long bolts 32 pivoted to a disc adapted to be slid by a turn button 33 to cause .the ends to wedge against the inner wallv I3 of the rail I I or enter holes or notches 34 therein.

As shown in Fig. 8, the rail II is formed at the point 35 with a gap in the overturned edge I4 which is cut and bent down to form a ramp 36. As shown in Fig. 6 an opening I4a is provided in the overturned portion I4 of the rail for the purpose hereafter described. A false back 38 may be provided within the boot as a protection for the panel against damage by luggage.

In use, any of the three parts can be moved jointly with or independently of the other two. The rear panel 2U can be lowered to open the back of the car, the three runners 30 guiding it into the extension rail II b so that the middle and forward runners jump the gap to IIc but are compelled to keep in`their correct path of movement as two of them are always engaged with a rail.

'I'he forward roof portion I8 can be slid back into the rear roof portion I9 without moving that portion and either with the rear panel 20 up or down. Or, the rear roof portion I9 can be slid forward over'the front roof portion I8, or both portions I8 and I9 could be moved to any intermediate positions. When the rear panel 20 has been lowered, the roof portions I3 and I9 may be slid back, the first step being to slide the `forward portion I8 into the rear portion I9 (Fig. 8) and then lift the forward edges, so that the wheel 23 and front wheel 24 at the forward edge of the combined portions lift through notches 35 in the overturned edge I4 -of the main rail, being compelled to ride up the ramps 36 and the whole unit can slide back on its rear runners 24 only, thus enabling it to negotiate the greater curvature of the rear portion of the rail. When the said rear runners 24 reach the sharp bend of the main rail they cannot leave the same as in the case of the rear panel because of the studs 28 adjacent thereto which are trapped under the overhanging edge of the drip channel I2, and thus such rear wheels 24 negotiate the sharp bend and enter the portion I Ia of the rail so that the telescoped roof portions I8 and I9 may be lowered into the body part forward of the rear panel 20, the front runners of the roof being subsequently re-engaged with the main rail through the openings I4a at the sharp bend of thev rail.

Finally a double hinged cover part 31' may be hinged over to enclose all the parts within the forward portion of the luggage boot I0.

Of course, if desired, the rear panel 20 could be raised again into position after the roof portions, I8 and I9 had been lowered into the body so that a 3A open car could be provided. Winding mechanism could be provided for the rear panel and roof portions and this could be power driven by electrical or other mechanical means and the parts fitted with remote controlled or automatic locking devices operating with the winding mechanism.

The invention is not limited to the details of construction of the example above given as these are obviously capable ofmodication without departing from the nature of the invention. For example, the rails could be of any other suitable section and the clamping means for the roof sections may be of other conventional or suitable form. Obviously, the front roof section could be arranged to be either above or below the rear section, as may be most convenient. 'I'he rear panel may also be arranged by link connection to its guide pins to swing outwardly at its upper end so that with certain shapes of body work it may more easily be arranged to slide down behind the rear seat.

Roof structures for a motor car body are known having slidable and telescopic roof panels in combination with a pivoted back panel or having a slidable back panel and a foldable fabric roof supported at intervals on runners mounted in rails, and no claim is made to any such construction.

What I claim is:

1. In a motor car bodywork, framework having slide rails in which are slidably mounted a plurality of roof sections and a back panel, the slide rails dividing at the rear end of the framework, and track selecting means on the roof sections and the back panel to co-operate with the respective parts of the divided rails to cause the roof sections and back panel respectively to be separately located in the divided rail parts when moved to the rear end of the framework, the rails being of box-like section with an open slot in their upper faces, one side of their upper faces being apertured to pass the track selecting means of the back panel and the other sides being non-apertured and extending as guides at the rear rail division into that part for the roof sections, the track selecting means of such roof sections comprising guide members engaging such non-apertured part of the rails to constrain the roof sections automatically to their parts of the rails at the divisions.

2. In a motor car bodywork, framework having slide rails in which are slidably mounted a plurality of roof sections and a back panel, the slide rails dividing at the rear end of the framework, and track selecting means on the roof sections, and back panel to co-operate with the respective parts of the divided rails to cause the roof sections and back panel respectively to be separately located in the divided rail parts when moved to the rear end of the framework, the rails being of box-like section with an open slot in their upper faces, one side of their upper faces being apertured to pass the track selecting means of the back panel and the other sides being non-apertured and extending as guides at the rear rail division into that part for the roof sections, the track selecting means of such roof sections comprising guide members engaging such non-apertured part of the rails to constrain the roof sections automatically to their parts of the rails at the divisions, said non-apertured part of the rails forming part of a drip channel.

3. A sliding closure for a vehicle roof, comprising guide rails each having oppositely-directed retaining flanges and each having one of such flanges gapped at one point, and roof panels slidably mounted on such guide rails, some of the panels having double retaining means to cooperate with both flanges of each rail and at least one other panel having single retaining means to co-operate only with the gapped flange of each rail, the rails being so disposed that pressure on the panels to slide them, automatically directs the last named retaining means through the gaps to divert the attached panel, and additional guide rails to receive the diverted panel by engagement with the same retaining means.

4. A sliding closure according to claim 3 wherein, of the roof panels having the double retaining means one is made hollow to receive another telescopically, the retaining means of the hollow panel having direct co-operation with the rail flanges, and the retaining means of the other panel c2c-operating with the rail flanges indirectly through the hollow panel.

gitudinal edge of the opening and into the rear of the vehicle, the innermost wall of the rail having a return ange and the outermost wall having a further but narrower open-topped channel mounted on it, the outermost wall of the further channel extending to the top surface of the roof whilst its innermost wall is of less height, slidable roof panels covering the said opening, with their longitudinal edges lying in the said further but narrower channel, each panel having retaining means extending into the open-topped main guide rail and the retaining means for at least one pan-e1 co-operating only with the said flange on the main guide rail, additional guide rails of the same section, disposed in the rear of the vehicle, with open ends adjacent and facing the open top of the main guide rails, and the flange of each main guide rail being gapped opposite the open end of the adjacent additional guide rail to release the co-operating retaining means at that point and allow it to enter the said additional rail at the open end thereof, and thereby automatically divert the relevant panel into the additional track.

6. A sliding closure according to claim 5 wherein a roof panel whose retaining means engages only with the ange of the main guide rail is made hollow to receive another roof panel telescopically.

7. In a motor car bodywork, framework having slide rails at each side of an aperture in which rails are slidably mounted a plurality of roof sections and a back panel each having rail-engaging members, the slide rails dividing at the rear end of the aperture like a railroad into two side-byside tracks,` and track-selecting means on the said roof sections and back panel to co-operate with the respective side-by-side tracks where they divide, automatically to cause the roof sections and the back panel respectively to be separately located in the divided side-by-side tracks when moved to the rear end of the framework.

8. In a motor car bodywork, framework having slide rails at each side of an aperture in which rails are slidably mounted a plurality of roof sections and a back panel, each having rail-engaging members, the slide rails dividing'at the rear end of the aperture like a railroad into two sideby-side tracks, and track-selecting means on the said roof sections and back panel to co-operate with the respective side-by-side tracks where they divide, automatically to cause the roof sections and back panel respectively to be separately located in the divided side-by-side tracks when moved to the rear end of the framework and a rear compartment in which said side-by-side tracks are located and into which the roof sections and back panel are adapted to be moved.

9. In a motor car bodywork, framework having slide rails at each side of an aperture in which rails are slidably mounted two telescopically constructed roof sections and a back panel each having rail-engaging members, the slide rails dividing at the rear end of the aperture like a railroad into two side-by-side tracks, and track-selecting means on the said roof sections and back panel to co-operate with the respective side-by-side tracks where they divide, automatically to cause the roof sections when telescopically closed and back panel respectively to be separately located in the divided side-by-side tracks when moved to the rear end of the framework. s

10. In a motor car bodywork, framework having slide rails at each side of an aperture in which rails are slidably mounted, two telescopically constructed roof sections and a back panel each having rail engaging members, the slide rails dividing at the rear end of the aperture like a railroad into two side-by-side tracks, and trackselecting means on the said roof sections and back panel to co-operate with the respective sideby-side tracks where they divide, automatically to cause the roof sections when telescopically closed and back panel respectively to be separately located in the divided side-by-side tracks when moved to the rear end of the framework and a rear compartment in which said side-byside tracks are located and into which the roof sections and back panel are adapted to be moved.

11. In a motor car bodywork, framework having slide rails at each side of an aperture in which rails are slidably mounted a plurality of roof sections and a back panel each having railengaging rollers, the slide rails dividing at the rear end of the aperture like a railroad into two side-by-side tracks, and track-selecting means on the said roof sections and back panel to cooperate with the respective side-by-side tracks where they divide, automatically to cause the roof sections and back panel respectively to be separately located in the divided side-by-side tracks when moved to the rear end of the framework and a rearcompartment in which said side-byside tracks are located and into which the roof sections and back panel are adapted to be moved.

12. In a motor car bodywork, framework having slide rails at each side of an aperture in which rails are slidably mounted a plurality of roof sections and a back panel each having rail engaging rollers, the slide rails dividing at the rear end of the aperture like a railroad into two side-by-side tracks, and track-selecting means on the said roof sections and back panel to co-operate with the respective side-by-side tracks where they divide, automatically to cause theroof sections and back panel respectively to be separately located in the divided side-by-side tracks when moved to the rear end of the framework the rails having apertures spaced away from where the tracks divide to permit disengagement of the forward rollers on the roof sections to enable the rear rollers thereof more easily to enter their part of the side-by-side tracksof the rails.

13. In a motor car bodywork, framework having slide rails at each side of an aperture in which rails are slidably mounted a plurality of roof sections and a back panel each having rail-engaging rollers, the slide rails dividing at the rear end of the aperture like a railroad into two side-by-side tracks, the rollers constituting track-selecting means to co-operate with the respective side-byside tracks where they divide, automatically to cause the roof sections and back panel respectively to be separately located in the divided side-by-side tracks when moved to the rear end of the framework and a rear compartment in which said side-by-side tracks are located and into which the roof sections and back panel are adapted to be moved.

JOHN HENRY LATCHFORD. 

